Minister Announces Approval for Growing Willow as a Renewable Energy Source
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11 March 2005
059/05
The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Ian Pearson MP, today announced the results of the first call on the Challenge Fund aimed at the planting of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow for energy production.
The Minister said: “I am pleased to announce that 415 hectares (just over 1000 acres) of agricultural land have been approved for establishment of SRC, under the first tranche of the Challenge Fund. SRC is a specialised form of forestry, which involves growing high yielding trees, in this case willows, at close spacing, and harvesting them every three years for energy end-uses. The pioneering farmers, whose projects have been approved, will contribute in a real way to an increase in forestry cover in Northern Ireland, and produce a biomass fuel stock for the developing renewable energy market.”
Mr Pearson continued: “The success of this first round has been particularly gratifying, given the innovative nature of the Challenge Fund, which requires applicants to bid competitively for funding to establish coppice. A judging panel met to choose high quality projects, offering good value for money. A total of 26 applications were received by the closing date, of which 18 were approved. The successful applicants demonstrated that their sites were suitable to grow SRC, and through the completion of a business plan, demonstrated the financial viability of their project, and the existence of an energy end-use for their produce. The social and environmental impacts of their proposals were also assessed.”
Closing dates for subsequent applications under the Challenge Fund are 1 August 2005 and 31 July 2006.
Notes to Editors
1. The information booklet and application form can be viewed on the Forest Service website: www.forestserviceni.gov.uk
2. Further information can be obtained by contacting Forest Service HQ, Private Woodlands and Plant Health Branch: Tel 028 9052 4466.
3. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel 028 9052 4619.
